Beautifully designed and painfully creative, The Gardens Between is an absolute delight. It's a shame that the lack of levels and short runtime prevent it from reaching true classic status.
The on-court action of NBA 2K19 has never been better, and the new Takeover system adds a fresh wrinkle to the gameplay. However, the continued presence of microtransactions continues to bog down the otherwise overwhelming amount of content.
As long as you have good company, Strange Brigade is an expedition worth undertaking. However, that doesn't excuse the many issues the title has. The game would have benefited from refinements both to the aiming system, as well as puzzle design. Still, this cadaver-blasting, treasure looting adventure is an enjoyable enough reason to gather a few friends together for, as long as you know what you're getting into.
Even with a shaky back-half, The Messenger is still an adventure worth seeking out. The agility focused platforming provides a satisfying challenge, the writing is surprisingly clever, and the graphical shifting is more than just a simple gimmick.
Guacamelee! 2 is another solid, platforming gem from DrinkBox Studios. The world is bigger and badder, and improvements to the shop and Pollo power make Juan's latest quest a success. However, the sequel's extreme similarity to the original may be off-putting for those wanting more.
Between the engaging base management and tense espionage missions, Phantom Doctrine is genuinely excellent at times. However, the frustrating combat and often unhelpful tutorials slide this tactical-stealth release down a few pegs.
Boasting an excellent progression system, top-notch gameplay, and gorgeous art design, Dead Cells is a remarkable achievement. If you consider yourself a fan of platformers in any shape or form, you owe it to yourself to grab Motion Twin's masterpiece.
Despite suffering from a gamut of technical issues, Ripples is a solid bounce-back for The Council. The plot continues to unfold in an interesting way, and the stronger focus on character interaction was a welcome development for this episode.
The Spectrum Retreat is a perfectly serviceable puzzler, but it rarely rises above mediocrity. There's potential within the ground of the Penrose Hotel, but it's never capitalized on.
Slime-san: Superslime Edition doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it is one of the better variations of the classic platformer out there. The controls are excellent, and the plethora of content here will keep you busy for months. And if your eyes aren't broken like mine, you might even appreciate the visuals.
The Crew 2 improves upon the many missteps of the original. The controls have been significantly improved, the grim story has been abandoned and the graphics are better than ever. However, thanks to limited online play and a lack of open-world activities, this sequel feels strangely unfinished.
Unravel Two improves upon the original title by not only introducing co-op play, but by also refining the series' uncompromising mechanics. It's a shame that the perplexing story can't match the emotional beats of the last Yarny adventure, though.
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a misfire in just about every way. The gameplay is dull and simplistic, the art and sound design are low quality, and the story is not only unfunny, but also surprisingly offensive. In other words, it's exactly what you would expect a Shaq Fu sequel to be like.
Aggressively unpleasant and a chore to play, Milanoir is a bloody dud of a tale. A slick visual style is the only positive to take away from this lousy slog of a game.
Although slightly lacking in features, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is still a well-put together set that brings together 11 arcade-perfect versions of the some of the best fighters ever developed.
Omensight is perfectly competent in every major category, but isn't strong enough in any one instance to truly stand out. The unique story-telling from Spearhead Games is definitely engaging, but I can't say the same for the rest of the game.
The overarching story of The Council remains as eerily enjoyable as before, but the tedious puzzles that drive Hide & Seek ignore what made the first chapter such a delight to play through.
Beautifully designed and wickedly challenging, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remains a top-tier platformer, even after four years of being marooned on the Wii U.
Despite an unsatisfying final act, Owlboy is an enchanting and dazzling adventure. The heartfelt tale will tug at your heartstrings, while the solid gameplay will make you want to see Otus' journey to its conclusion.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is charming at times, and there's plenty to do, even if it may not always be exciting. However, the Royal Edition release is rotten with performance issues, including crippling lag and frustrating crashes.